I was born in Odiham but grew up in Silchester and Horndean. My early working life was spent in the manufacturing industry, marketing consumer durables. I moved to Petersfield following my marriage in 1980 and took a career break to spend the pre-school years at home with my two sons, Dan and Luke, now adults.
I thought about how I wanted to spend the rest of my working life and decided to retrain as a language teacher at the University of Portsmouth. I spent my teaching practice at secondary schools in Hayling Island, Horndean and Woolmer Hill and later taught in Leigh Park, Havant. The most enjoyable part of this role was as a tutor and mentoring trainee teachers. As part of an MFL initiative, I spent time with primary teachers and helped coordinate language-learning for that age group.
Although retired from teaching, I continue to be very interested in the development, welfare and education of children. In my free time I am an avid reader and a member of a bookclub. I enjoy music, current affairs, travel and foreign culture.